Sam Killermann's Blog: Dear World, page 2

You Can Stop Saying “They Should Make A…”

Something I see all the time on the internet is people saying “They should have a…” or “They should make a…” and then sharing some idea, platform, service, movement, or cause that the commenter wants, and believes “they” should create.

A few years ago, this made sense. The request was legitimate and necessary.

There were gatekeepers in every industry — from arts to activism to commerce to community-building — who were the “They.” It was They who had to approve our appeal to create a new thin...

The Big Thing Being Bedridden with the Flu for a Week Made Me Realize

For the past 7 days, my life was consumed by the flu. Technically, I was more couch-ridden than bedridden, but I was decidedly horizontal. Luckily, I had a faithful guardian who didn’t leave my side, so I survived.

This is the first time I’ve had the flu in as long as I can remember. I don’t get sick often. The last time I was even “take a day off work” sick was over a year ago (and I don’t even have to get a doctor’s note to call in — I have lenient bosses).

Yesterday, as I was catching up o...

A Checklist to Work Through Before Creating Any New Website, Blog, or App

Are you thinking about creating a website? Or a blog? Or an app? Do you want to be “in the cloud,” but you’re not really sure what that is? Have you been talking with colleagues about this idea, or received direction from your boss, and started figuring out how to do it yourself, or looking into hiring a designer/developer to build it for you?

Great! Good on you. Making things is really exciting, and it’s really fun to hit the ground running.

The natural next step you might make is to start p...

Why I Hadn’t Funded My Work with Patreon

For several years, my “day job” (the one paying my bills) has been performing comedy shows. Meanwhile, my hobby has been creating online resources, tools, and organizations for justice.

If you think that’s a weird combo, you’re not alone. I’m with you: it’s hard to wrap my mind around the truth that the way I make money is comedy, then I use that money to pay to do administrative-paperwork-email-non-profit-type stuff.

Usually, it’s the other way around.

What’s even weirder? Switching things...

You’re Not “Self-Employed”

For the past almost-decade, I’ve checked the “self-employed” box lots of time: when opening bank accounts, on lease applications for apartments, and it’s how the IRS sees me.

But it’s a lie. I’m not “self-employed.”

Nobody is.

You’re employed by whomever pays you to work. Your employers are your clients, customers, patrons, or whatever you call the people giving you money that enables you to put food in mouth and roof above head.

If you’re a graphic designer, your employers are the clients...

Breaking the Chain of “Maybe”

There’s a modern scourge upon us, and every get-together, plan, and social event is vulnerable.

I don’t know when it started, who’s to blame, or if it can be defeated, but I’ve begun vaccinating myself against it. And if you or your social circle have caught a case of the Maybes, or you want to prevent an outbreak, here’s what you can do.

The first step with any epidemic is understanding the problem: What is the Maybes, how does it spread, and why is it harmful?

Catching & Diagnosi...

Falling Off the Daily Meditation Path

I haven’t meditated in over a week.

I’ve become increasingly aware of this every day that passes. It’s become so big in my day, that, right now, Not Meditating feels like all I’ve accomplished.

And yet, here I am writing this instead of doing the damn thing. What is wrong with me?

I know that I’ll appreciate my time sitting — both while it’s happening (even if I know it’ll be more fitful than usual) and after. It’ll give my day more focus, give me a breath between the world and my reactions...

How I Made A WordPress Site with a 100 Score on Google Pagespeed Insights

I’m really thrilled about this. As a poor person who creates tons of websites that have a ton of traffic but are totally free and make negative dollars, I feel like I’ve found the Holy Grail. But before I get into the details, two quick things:

One, none of the following links are affiliates/sponsored (I don’t abide that sort of thing here).

Two, this path isn’t for everyone, but I’m going to lay it out for those of you who want to walk it.

Just wanted to get that out of the way, beca...

Overthinking Everything So You Don’t Have To

I have a confession to make: I’m an Overthinker.

I think I’ve always been this way, but my condition has worsened with age. And my chosen profession didn’t help.

I overthink as a matter of work, often. And I always overthink my work. Not just the things I make themselves, but how to describe what I do, and what unites it all.

Lately, I’ve come to think that the best way to describe my job is “overthinking everything so you don’t have to.” That’s no surprise, I’m sure, if you’ve popped around...

Policing Voting vs. Nuance

You can complain about politics if you don’t vote.
You’re not a bad human if you don’t vote.
You can still be my friend if you don’t vote.
And voting is an exceptional way to complain.
And it’s a perfect way to stake a claim in your humanity.
And it’s a wonderful way to show up for your friends.

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